Younes El Moustir says his diverse background would be an asset if he reaches the mayor’s office.
A real estate agent hopes to challenge Valérie Plante for the mayoralty of Montreal.
Born in Morocco, El Moustir has been in Montreal since 2002, when he was 10.
He has worked as an entrepreneur and a real estate agent, and El Moustir says he now wants to give back to the city where he grew up. He was motivated to run when the Re/Max outlet where he was working on Ste-Catherine St. E. in the Village was affected by repeated issues, including people living on the street who were causing disturbances.
“Every week we had problems,” he said. “People broke the windows, and lots of my employees no longer wanted to come to work because they were scared. We’re starting to see this also in other districts.”
El Moustir recalls that after making several complaints to the city, he was frustrated by a lack of action from the Plante administration, saying they merely spout slogans and excuses.
As an entrepreneur, El Moustir says an innovative spirit and fresh ideas are the biggest assets he would bring to Ensemble Montréal’s leadership, as well as a diverse background.
“We’ve never had anyone from (ethnic) diversity as mayor of Montreal,” he said. “One-third of Montrealers aren’t born here, so now is the time to talk to these people and tell them it’s their city, too, and they need to have someone who represents them.”
He says he’s excited to join Ensemble Montréal and believes the party has what it takes to win the election, which will be held on Nov. 2, 2025.
“The team is very competent and they can give a lot to our city,” El Moustir said. “I received an extraordinary welcome from party members.”
El Moustir decided to speak to Montrealers across the city to see if they shared his wish for a change at city hall.
“I went to see thousands of people all over Montreal, in all 19 boroughs, and I realized people share my frustrations and want change in the city,” he said.
He promises to unveil a list of ideas he hopes will become part of Ensemble Montréal’s platform.
The party confirmed El Moustir’s candidacy Tuesday and welcomed him into the fold.
“Ensemble Montréal is proud to announce the first official candidacy in the race for the party leadership,” director general Patrick Thauvette wrote in a statement. “In the face of a growing dissatisfaction in Valérie Plante’s leadership, this candidacy displays a real wish for change and a hope for renewal for the city. We expect other candidates will also join the race in the coming weeks.”
El Moustir’s candidacy was forwarded to the leadership race’s organizing committee and will be certified in the next seven business days, the party said.
Prospective leadership hopefuls have until Dec. 15 to submit their candidacies and must collect signatures from 200 members, including at least 100 signatures from new members recruited from a minimum of 10 Montreal boroughs. They must also raise $15,000 in donations or party memberships. El Moustir says he has support from 1,000 party members.
Founded as Équipe Denis Coderre pour Montréal in 2013 when its namesake first ran for mayor, Ensemble Montréal has never before put forth a mayoral candidate other than Coderre.